Yardbarker: Drew Smylyhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/players/drew_smyly/196126
Recent articles about Drew Smylyen-usTMSNX Detroit’s Top 15 Tigers Prospects – Pre-Season 2015Steven Moya
TMSNX Detroit’s Adam “Dorf” Waltersdorf, Shawn “Belly” Bell, and Jason Bray contributed to this ranking of the top-15 Detroit Tigers prospects entering the 2015 season.
1. OF Steven Moya
Age: 23
Size: 6’7″, 260 lbs
Signed: October 1st, 2008.
Bats/Throws: Left/Right
Grade: B-
ETA: 2015
Analysis: Moya will knock the absolute snot out of the ball if he gets a hold of it. Most of the time that is a very big if. He swings at everything, so he strikes out a ton and doesn’t watch much. He compares mostly to the Astro’s Chris Carter, except useful on defense and he bats left handed.
2. LHP Kevin Ziomek
Age: 23
Size: 6’3″, 200 lbs
Drafted: 2nd Round (#58), 2013
Bats/Throws: Right/Left
Grade: C+
ETA: 2016
Analysis: Some scouts have described him as Diet Drew Smyly. However, by age 23, Smyly had a successful big league season under his belt and Ziomek hasn’t pitched above Low-A Ball. I’m not optimistic he will be anything close to Smyly, who is being picked by some baseball pu03 Mar 2015 12:00:14 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/tmsnx_detroits_top_15_tigers_prospects_pre_season_2015/18379505
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/tmsnx_detroits_top_15_tigers_prospects_pre_season_2015/18379505TMSNX Detroit’s Top 15 Tigers Prospects – Pre-Season 2015http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/tmsnx_detroits_top_15_tigers_prospects_pre_season_2015/18379505http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngBall hit by Rays SS during batting practice breaks teammate's winshieldWe'll spare you an awful "Break it like Beckham" pun and just let you know that Rays shortstop Tim Beckham and pitcher Drew Smyly have some negotiating to do after Beckham did some damage to Smyly's car during batting practice on Monday.
As you'll see below, Smyly's BMW was the unfortuante victim of a ball Beckham hit out of the park.02 Mar 2015 15:05:56 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/ball_hit_by_rays_ss_during_batting_practice_breaks_teammates_winshield/18374138
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/ball_hit_by_rays_ss_during_batting_practice_breaks_teammates_winshield/18374138Ball hit by Rays SS during batting practice breaks teammate's winshieldhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/ball_hit_by_rays_ss_during_batting_practice_breaks_teammates_winshield/18374138http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngEquity In The MLB DraftRecently, our very own Steve Benko penned an article discussing the mole hill-turned-mountain of Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Smyly tweeting his thoughts on 19-year-old Cuban Yoan Moncada receiving a $30 million contract while American players are bound by the whims of the MLB draft and the subsequent contract structure.
This salvo by Smyly has the potential to open an entirely unsavory can of worms for Major League Baseball, and this is probably an issue that has been overlooked by most casual sports observers. American sports’ largest draft spectacle is the NFL draft, which transpires in primetime on a grand stage and features players who cut their teeth on Saturdays in the college game. They are known entities, and due to football’s supremacy in American sports the draft is big business.
But football is essentially an American game that has yet to arrive on the world stage. Baseball, however, is as global as McDonald’s restaurants, and its draft receives nary a blip on the radar o...25 Feb 2015 20:45:46 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/equity_in_the_mlb_draft/18345788
http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/equity_in_the_mlb_draft/18345788Equity In The MLB Drafthttp://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/equity_in_the_mlb_draft/18345788http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngRays' Smyly elaborates on tweet regarding Moncada's $31.5M dealAfter Cuban free agent Yoan Moncada agreed to a reported $31.5 million signing bonus with the Boston Red Sox on Monday, Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Drew Smyly saw a discrepancy and took to Twitter to express his view.
Smyly, in the hours after the news broke, tweeted his thoughts on what he feels is a difference in how young prospects are paid, the amount of money dependent on where they're from. The New York Yankees also zeroed in on Moncada, a 19-year-old switch-hitting infield prospect, before the Red Sox secured his services.
Smyly, 25, spoke with the Tampa Bay Times on Tuesday and elaborated on his opinion.
"I think it's awesome that he got that, I'm all for any player making as much money as they can make in this game," Smyly told the Times. "So it's nothing against him or any Cuban player.
"I was only trying to say everyone else doesn't have those opportunities. So I think there should be some way where everyone, every amateur, has the same opportunity and guidelines. And that...24 Feb 2015 12:23:00 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/rays_smyly_elaborates_on_tweet_regarding_moncadas_315m_deal/18335000
http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/rays_smyly_elaborates_on_tweet_regarding_moncadas_315m_deal/18335000Rays' Smyly elaborates on tweet regarding Moncada's $31.5M dealhttp://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/rays_smyly_elaborates_on_tweet_regarding_moncadas_315m_deal/18335000http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngIs Drew Smyly’s Frustration with Yoan Moncada’s Contract Justified?Yoan Moncada is a 19-year-old Cuban prospect who just signed a $30 million deal with the Boston Red Sox. Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Smyly was not happy about the Yoan Moncada deal. Smyly took to twitter to voice his opinion on the contract.
It’s not right that a Cuban 19yr old gets paid 30m and the best 19yr old in the entire USA gets prob 1/6th of … http://t.co/7aAZCwgm2t
— Drew Smyly (@SmylyD) February 23, 2015
Does he have a point about that? Somewhat, but his opinion came off a little more harsh than it was meant to be. There might be more to his opinion than it not being right that a 19-year-old Cuban prospect gets $30 million while the other top American prospects are starving (compared to Moncada) in the minor leagues. It also must be noted that, Moncada more than likely is going to spend at least one year in the minor leagues. But is there something wrong with the draft and contract structuring system for players coming out of high school and college? Well, for starters,...24 Feb 2015 10:04:33 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/is_drew_smylys_frustration_with_yoan_moncadas_contract_justified/18333275
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/is_drew_smylys_frustration_with_yoan_moncadas_contract_justified/18333275Is Drew Smyly’s Frustration with Yoan Moncada’s Contract Justified?http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/is_drew_smylys_frustration_with_yoan_moncadas_contract_justified/18333275http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngRays reliever sounds off on Yoan Moncada dealThe Boston Red Sox have reportedly agreed to terms with 19-year-old infielder Yoan Moncada, and the Cuban baseball player is set to receive a $31.5 million signing bonus to join their organization.
However, $31.5 million seems like a lot of money for a player who has never played in a game at the Major League level.
Tampa Bay Rays reliever Drew Smyly echoed those sentiments on Twitter...23 Feb 2015 20:31:11 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/rays_reliever_sounds_off_on_yoan_moncada_deal/18330752
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/rays_reliever_sounds_off_on_yoan_moncada_deal/18330752Rays reliever sounds off on Yoan Moncada dealhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/rays_reliever_sounds_off_on_yoan_moncada_deal/18330752http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngDrew Smyly Makes Tampa Bay’s Rotation EliteI’ve often heard the word “underwhelming” used to describe to the Tampa Bay Rays‘ return in the David Price deadline trade from this past July, even months after the blockbuster deal was finalized. While it was initially understandable, I’m somewhat baffled at the continual skepticism surrounding Andrew Friedman‘s last major transaction as an executive in Tampa Bay.
Enough opinions have been written on the matter, and I’m not here to discuss that trade any further, but rather spotlight one major piece brought in by the Rays in that deal, lefty Drew Smyly, and why he’s set to breakout in the upcoming 2015 season.
After being selected by the Detroit Tigers in the second round of the 2010 Amateur Draft, Smyly rose quickly through the minor leagues. He broke into the big leagues in 2012, starting 18 games for the Tigers. In 2013, Smyly was used exclusively out of the bullpen, where he found himself, posting a 2.31 FIP and 9.59 K/9 rate over 76 innings pitched.
Dave Dombrowski felt so co...19 Feb 2015 11:37:39 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/drew_smyly_makes_tampa_bays_rotation_elite/18302906
http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/drew_smyly_makes_tampa_bays_rotation_elite/18302906Drew Smyly Makes Tampa Bay’s Rotation Elitehttp://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/drew_smyly_makes_tampa_bays_rotation_elite/18302906http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngPlayer Profile #133: Drew Smyly | SP | TB
Drew Smyly had the honor of being the first player that I wrote about when I joined Baseball Professor back in 2013 and he remains a fascinating topic as 2014 was a very interesting year for Smyly involving many different storylines, including whether or not he would pitch out of the bullpen again, what team would he play for, and what pitches would he throw. Ultimately, Smyly should be happy with the year he had since by the end of the season he was a better player than he was at its beginning.
During the 2013 season Smyly was on the Detroit Tigers for the entire year and was beat out of the fifth starter job by the now Boston Red Sox starter Rick Porcello. Despite possessing the superior strikeout repertoire when compared with Porcello, the Tigers simply wanted another young talented lefty out of the bullpen — one they could have certainly used last year! Smyly enjoyed success in the bullpen and sharpened his control, dropping his BB% from 7.9% in 2012 (primarily as a starter) to...13 Jan 2015 16:14:18 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/player_profile_133_drew_smyly_sp_tb/18080054
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/player_profile_133_drew_smyly_sp_tb/18080054Player Profile #133: Drew Smyly | SP | TBhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/player_profile_133_drew_smyly_sp_tb/18080054http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngQ&A: Kevin Ziomek, Detroit Tigers Pitching Prospect (and the Next Drew Smyly?)Kevin Ziomek carved up Midwest League hitters in his first full professional season. In 123 innings at West Michigan, the 22-year-old left-hander logged a 2.27 ERA and an 11.1 K/9. His top-flight numbers notwithstanding, he created surprisingly little buzz. The Detroit Tigers took Ziomek in the second round of the 2013 draft out of Vanderbilt […]21 Nov 2014 08:00:50 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/q_a_kevin_ziomek_detroit_tigers_pitching_prospect_and_the_next_drew_smyly/17756048
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/q_a_kevin_ziomek_detroit_tigers_pitching_prospect_and_the_next_drew_smyly/17756048Q&A: Kevin Ziomek, Detroit Tigers Pitching Prospect (and the Next Drew Smyly?)http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/q_a_kevin_ziomek_detroit_tigers_pitching_prospect_and_the_next_drew_smyly/17756048http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngMechanics tweak has Tigers' Smyly at top of his gameDETROIT -- Drew Smyly has never looked this efficient and dominant at the same time.
The Detroit Tigers left-hander has carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning of his last two starts.
Can he do that for a third consecutive start?
"I hope so," said Smyly, whose next start is Thursday afternoon against the Chicago White Sox. "We'll see."
Then he joked that "together" the beginning of his last two starts equal a no-hitter, and he's correct on that point. He's gone 4 1/3 and 4 2/3 innings with a no-hitter for exactly nine innings total.
Smyly posted a 2.13 ERA and 0.87 WHIP in those games, and had a career-best 17 strikeouts in consecutive games. His 11 strikeouts on Friday were his most in one game.
Tigers pitching coach Jeff Jones credited a recent mechanics alteration, saying, "We've adjusted his hands to keep them lower before going into his delivery, and it's generated more arm speed that way."
Smyly concurred.
"It's been a pretty easy adjustment," he said. "Jonesey came to me in...30 Jul 2014 17:40:00 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/mechanics_tweak_has_tigers_smyly_at_top_of_his_game/16943026
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/mechanics_tweak_has_tigers_smyly_at_top_of_his_game/16943026Mechanics tweak has Tigers' Smyly at top of his gamehttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/mechanics_tweak_has_tigers_smyly_at_top_of_his_game/16943026http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngDetroit Tigers: should Drew Smyly stay in the pen?First off, it is not panic time for the Detroit Tigers. They are 5-2 atop the AL Central and have three winnable games against the Padres this weekend. The pretty record however, does mask some cause for concern.
And to absolutely nobody’s surprise, chief among them is the bullpen. What has been a shocker is closer Joe Nathan’s horrible start to the season. He is 1 for 3 in save opportunities and hasn’t been fooling anybody while allowing six hits and four walks in just 3.2 innings of ‘work’.
For now, the Nathan-related complications can be compartmentalized as an aberration. His track record is sterling and the smart money is on him figuring out, and soon. I still project Nathan to lock down 35-40 saves with solid peripheral numbers. If this persists for another week or two though, then we’ll have to revisit sounding the alarm on the annual 9th inning panic at the CoPa.
Drew Smyly’s blessing could be his curse
What causes me the most stress when analyzing the pen are the following:
Brad Ausmus11 Apr 2014 12:46:27 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/detroit_tigers_should_drew_smyly_stay_in_the_pen/16247977
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/detroit_tigers_should_drew_smyly_stay_in_the_pen/16247977Detroit Tigers: should Drew Smyly stay in the pen?http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/detroit_tigers_should_drew_smyly_stay_in_the_pen/16247977http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngDrew Smyly’s girlfriend Eryn Blatt wins the day (PICTURES)Drew Smyly will have the opportunity in 2014 to prove that his left-arm is worthy of excelling in a starting role in the Big Leagues. At his side, hopefully for Tiger fans on his right arm, will be girlfriend Eryn Blatt.
As Smyly transitions back to being a starter after being arguably the Tigers’ most valuable reliever last year, Blatt will transition into being one of the dolls of Detroit.
Miss Upton is far from the only smokeshow in town.
Drew Smyly and girlfriend Eryn Blatt
Instagram02 Apr 2014 09:02:31 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/drew_smylys_girlfriend_eryn_blatt_wins_the_day_pictures/16164247
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/drew_smylys_girlfriend_eryn_blatt_wins_the_day_pictures/16164247Drew Smyly’s girlfriend Eryn Blatt wins the day (PICTURES)http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/drew_smylys_girlfriend_eryn_blatt_wins_the_day_pictures/16164247http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngSmyly begins return to Tigers rotationKISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Drew Smyly started his return to the rotation Wednesday after pitching out of the bullpen all of last season.
Smyly, who started Wednesday's game against the Atlanta Braves, threw two innings for the first time since last June 23.
Smyly allowed one run on two hits while walking one and striking out two.
"I thought it went well," Smyly said. "My arm felt good, the best thing. It was good to get out there and compete, to face a good lineup. It's probably the lineup they're going to throw out there. It's fun being in a game. Live BP's one thing, but hitters are tracking, they're not really competing with you."
Smyly didn't really need his change-up last season but he knows it's a pitch he'll need as a starter.
"My first inning, I don't think I threw a change-up," Smyly said. "I just kind of went out there, competed. I had two lefties I faced, I didn't really need it and I didn't throw it to (B.J.) Upton. The first inning, I was just trying to get back in the groove, ...26 Feb 2014 18:10:00 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/smyly_begins_return_to_tigers_rotation/15882449
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/smyly_begins_return_to_tigers_rotation/15882449Smyly begins return to Tigers rotationhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/smyly_begins_return_to_tigers_rotation/15882449http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngDetroit Tigers full of questionsWhen a team sees their payroll jump from approximately $148M to what figures to be a tad higher than $160M by opening day like the Detroit Tigers have from last year to this, you’d expect a product that is equal to or greater than the previous version. Well, so much for logic, and welcome to modern baseball where arbitration raises and ballooning free agent deals are driving payroll numbers through the ceiling.
Baseball is a rich sport, and the massive infusion of tv contract money this year to teams across the league has loosened up the already frivolous budgets of nearly every organization. And for some organizations, like the Tigers, what choice did they really have?
Alex Avila
Prior to last season the Tigers knew what they were spending and essentially could etch in stone what they’d be getting in return on the field. That simply isn’t the case in 2014. For an additional $12M in team payroll, the Tigers get seemingly 12 million questions in exchange.
Six of the seven expected bullpen arms are highly04 Feb 2014 12:18:49 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/detroit_tigers_full_of_questions/15706553
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/detroit_tigers_full_of_questions/15706553Detroit Tigers full of questionshttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/detroit_tigers_full_of_questions/15706553http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngDetroit Tigers rumors: Domonic Brown editionBefore the Detroit Tigers made two big offseason trades and a free agent signing for a closer, I had suggested the possibility of a trade for Phillies left-fielder Domonic Brown.
As the winter meetings have kicked off in Orlando this week so has the news that the 26-year old Brown is indeed on the market. One problem, the trade proposal that I set forth back then involved Doug Fister as the centerpiece along with a few choice prospects. It seems that trading Fister might be difficult now that he calls Washington his home.
The match was perfect. The Phillies had already signed Marlon Byrd and could play him along with Darin Ruf and Ben Revere in their outfield. They also have a big need for starting pitching, hence the Fister involvement.
Domonic Brown
The Tigers clearly require a left fielder and preferably one who hits with power and swats from the left side. Enter Brown and the 27 bombs he hit in his first full season in the big leagues a year ago. What’s more is that Brown has solid lefty-right splits fo09 Dec 2013 15:43:06 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/detroit_tigers_rumors_domonic_brown_edition/15268814
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/detroit_tigers_rumors_domonic_brown_edition/15268814Detroit Tigers rumors: Domonic Brown editionhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/detroit_tigers_rumors_domonic_brown_edition/15268814http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png